Cynara (1932)

December 26, 1932

Ronald Colman, Kay Francis and Henry Stephenson in the Pictorial Translation of "Cynara."

By MORDAUNT HALL.

Published: December 26, 1932

Except that it is told in flashback form, which is by no means against it, the pictorial version of the play "Cynara," with Ronald Colman in the part played on the stage by Philip Merivale, has not only clung to the original title, which was for a time in jeopardy, but it is faithful to the parent work. Moreover, Samuel Goldwyn, the producer of this film, which is at the Rivoli, had the sagacity to cast Henry Stephenson in the same rôle he played before the footlights.

King Vidor, the director, gives to his scenes effective and restrained guidance, with the result that the incidents move along at a pleasing pace. The leading feminine characters are impersonated by Kay Francis and Phyllis Barry, who do their share to make this tragic tale quite convincing.

Mr. Colman gives an ingratiating portrayal of the successful English barrister, Jim Warlock. Mr. Colman is always on the qui vive to avoid any suggestion of awkwardness, and if Warlock is talking, Mr. Colman invariably finds something to occupy his hands. There is a pleasing sincerity about his acting, which evidently has been helped by Mr. Vidor's imaginative direction.

The opening scene is in Naples. Warlock is about to leave his wife to start life anew in Africa. As he talks, the narrative glides into the past, revealing the various doings that led to the tragic romance between Warlock and Doris Lea, the shopgirl. On the seventh anniversary of their marriage, Clemency Warlock decides that she must go to Venice with her sister, and the brilliant young barrister is left alone in London.

John Tring, a gay bachelor played by Mr. Stephenson, takes Warlock to a Soho restaurant, quite a harmless place, for dinner. There they encounter Doris Lea and Milly Miles and soon the four are at the same table. That evening soon might have bean forgotten by Warlock, but the philandering Tring paves the way for a second meeting between Warlock and Doris, which results in a serious affair.

The girl falls in love with Warlock, knowing that he is married, and it is after his wife returns that Doris loses her position in the store. Warlock meets her in Hyde Park and later he sends her a check by his clerk. Milly, enraged at what has happened and believing that Warlock is nothing but a sneering snob, goes to his office and upbraids him. While she is there one of the servants announces that a policeman wants to see Warlock. Doris had killed herself and the barrister's letter had been found in her room.

The scenes of the inquest, the publicity of which spells disgrace for the lawyer, are set forth in an interesting fashion. It should also be stated that the London atmosphere has been cleverly done, with old looking buildings, Hyde Park in a fog and drizzle and the Soho restaurant. The ending of the film is sensibly conceived.

Kay Francis is efficient as the wife and Phyllis Barry is sympathetic and natural as Doris. Mr. Stephenson gives a competent conception of the bachelor without a conscience. Others who enliven some of the episodes are Paul Porcasi, Viva Tattersall and George Kirby.